A state Senate committee Monday barely passed a bill that would eventually allow consumers to buy alcohol in places other than state stores.

The bill advanced by only one vote in the Senate Law and Justice committee Monday.

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It would allow the existing 14,000 establishments including taverns, restaurants and beer distributors that have liquor licenses to purchase permits to also sell wine and spirits. And the bill’s sponsor says his plan would eventually get the state out of the liquor business.

“It does, will close state stores when they’re replaced and that’s what I promised to do. That’s what I put out. It’s a starting point and it goes through this normal process the final week of the budget,” said Sen. Chuck McIlhinney.

The bill still needs to clear one more committee before it can go to the Senate floor for a full vote. And Senate officials confirm there is not a majority of senators willing to pass the bill at this time.

The governor wanted the privatization legislation passed along with a state budget by the end of the month. But McIlHinney said if it doesn’t get passed by then, privatization efforts could continue to be debated in the fall.